Picking is such sweet serenity.

Nowadays there isn't much that brings me inner peace, and I'm fine with that. I realize it's temporary and nothing lasts forever. I've accepted these moments so peace is not something I'm looking for. Life right now is constant movement, never resting, always trying to get ahead. Thinking anticipation, planning ahead.
But without trying I found a place where everything stands still for me. It's my place where quiet is kept.

My place is crouched down beneath the blueberry bushes, eyes wide open, scanning, looking for deep blue chalky colored blueberries. I pick and forage for them without a care. The countless interruptions from my children don't disturb my zen moments. I just love the serenity. When I'm picking I'm not thinking about the future, five minutes from now or days ahead, all I'm thinking about is those blue beauties and how it feels fingering each berry from it's branch, then dropping it into my bowl, what JOY.

Going home with a few pounds of blueberries isn't bad either.

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches!

Yeah! I went there!
When I bake I don't care about calories. I don't care about your diet, or your work out plan. I'm just trying to make you smile.
Cookies make me smile. Ice Cream makes me smile, Big Time!
Big Time smiles today!

I made these the other day, and they were so quick and easy! Sometimes I can't be bothered with measuring ingredients. Today I decided, save your energy for other things. But using this quick and easy technique made these plain Chocolate Chip Cookies outstanding.

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies
Adapted from Lovin from the Oven.

You don't always have to bake from scratch to have great results. Some days short cuts can be the best part of your day.

So I grabbed some quality ingredients and whipped these up.
The Oreos went into the food processor and I used a really small ice cream scoop to make little dough balls.

Then each dough ball got breaded, and rolled around in the Oreo cookie crumbs. I really smush them around in the crumbs.

Then I just baked them according to the instructions on the package.
And voila! Heaven!
Of course I had to sandwich the cookies together with some Oreo Cookie Ice cream, how could I not.
I like matching things together, I'm a little "matchy matchy poopoo," as we say at my house.

Make Jam it's easy!

Yeah baby, it's Strawberry picking time! One of the coolest things about living here in the Lehigh Valley is the "Pick your Own" farms. We have two near by and my favorite offers pick your own strawberries in the month of June. So the very first day of the season I gathered the troops and drove right over. We picked about 5 pounds, very exciting!! But, what to do with the strawberries! Make Jam of course!

So making jam and jelly seems very intimidating and I'm sure you've heard someone say bip bam boom, it's easy. So I'm not going to say that. What I will say is that canning is just one way of preserving your food to get more use of it. You can also freeze strawberries whole or diced, sprinkled with or without a little sugar. To be used for smoothies, mixed drinks, over pancakes or waffles, in yogurt or on ice cream, or throw them in a cake or muffin recipe. I like canning. I think it's fun. I like to gift strawberry jelly, gave some to my daughter's bus driver and her Kindergarten teacher.

Here's my how to.

So the 4 elements you need are sterilized containers, fruit, sugar and pectin and you'll have to read the directions on the darn pectin box. (Did I mention I have a hard time reading the directions on boxes but that's a whole other story, okay focus.) Can I also mention that the jam/jelly making directions on the pectin box are kind of intimidating. Dont let that scare you.

I pulsed my Strawberries a little before cooking.
So,Since my kids ate most of what I picked and all of what they picked, I was left with a little more than 4 cups. Which is less than what the recipe called for-uggh. But that didn't stop me, Nope! I just tossed the directions and cut my recipe in half. Which only required a little, simple (not simple) culinary math.
Can I throw this in? In Culinary school math class was the most feared by everyone, seriously! You have no idea how many people had to retake that class.
Okay- back to the business.
So once I realized there would be math involved, I decided to wait till the babies nap time. Smart Mommy! Its hard to think with a little person hugging your leg.

Alright, at nap time I pulled it together and cut the recipe down for the 4 cups of strawberries I had and added half the amount of sugar and pectin. Then I just cook the strawberries down till they're at a rolling boil.

Then I took the hot jars out of the boiling water and filled them with the hot jelly, put the lids on tightly and turn them upside down. Once the jars are cool the seal on top the jar should be down. Sometimes they don't go down, and this is the stressful part. All I can say is, don't stress. Put those jars in the fridge and wait. These jars may not be completely cool. Once they cool the seal almost always goes down. If not put that bad boy in the fridge and crack it open later to taste test. Taste testing is good!

Now, I said making jelly/jam isnt easy, and its not. You have to sterilize the jars, and that seems scary, how long do you boil them for? Don't be scared! Just boil the jars until your not worried anymore. Then there's measuring the fruit, to sugar, to pectin ratio. Yup, that's tricky. It's gotta be just right or there is no jam! Aaah no, there will be jelly no matter. Look im just making the point that this, is, EASY!! You can't screw it up, just looky at what I did, all my issues. Still made jam!
So if you can make jam and not worry, and have the precise ingredients you need to just follow the recipe, than your not like me!
Make jam it's easy!

Rainbowlicious

Hey! Not much Chefin going on but I haven't just been siting around either. I've been spreading happiness and rainbows around my house. This is something I used to do for my oldest daughter's closet. It was just one of my nerotic things that I did to add another layer of organization to my childs cloths closet. Woohoo did I have time on my hands back then! Now that there are 3 little girls with closets full of little girl cloths, let's just say it's a miracle I get everyone dressed and fed before noon! But, the other day I actually had a little time to play. And this is how I play. My 3 year old Amaya likes cloths, i'd even go so far as to say she's passionate about what she picks out of her closet. So I thought this would be a fun detail to add. I let her help of course and she loved watching me shift cloths around, as she yelled out the colors. Seeing all the colors of the rainbow just made us both smile. I'll tell you, I'm not a "unicorns and rainbows make me smile" kind of person, but organization and color coding make me sing!! And with all that goes on out there in the world I'll take an easy burst of joy!! So go get yourself some and make a rainbow in your closet!
You can also make rainbows in other places too! Here are some ideas.

I love the idea of this although I have no time to put makeup on let alone several different colors. And where would I be going, besides the bus stop to pickup my daughter from school. Maybe I'll try this out and see what my bus stop people's think? I'll get back to you on that. Snarf, snarf

A must simpler idea.

Organize your bookshelves by color. Which I've also done except, oddly,most of my books are white or black. So the few colored books I've grouped amongst the white and black books to break up the monotony of it all. Sure you have lots of different colored books and you could pull this off. If not...

Make cake like this rainbow cake from the blog Whisk kid!

I'm totally going to make one of these for somebodie's Birthday. In fact after reading this post I hope someone requests a rainbow cake, just so I can play around with the idea and make a cool rainbow cake! To go with this...

Rainbows and Unicorns Party! For some little child somewhere this could be the party of a lifetime. My children don't know about unicorns because I've avoided the subject. Seriously, how am I going to explain the whole unicorns are not real. I'd say they were like dinosaurs, you know extinct. And my poor kids would repeat that, and sound crazy. So we have not had the unicorn talk at my house. Anyhoo.

Finally when you decide to get a little rainbow in your life, please, don't do this to yourself!

Leave me a message with your suggestions, or tell me where you'll put your rainbow!
Rainbowlicious

Okay so first let me say, sorry it's been a while since my last post. I'll get it together some day! Really who am I saying sorry to but myself. I'm not even sure how many people out there are even reading this. Well here I go again distracted! I've decided to post whatever comes to mind, taking the pressure of my need to be perfect and bring my audience( however small it maybe, hi Dad)all the things I love. I do love to cook and bake so there will still be some of that but I also love lots of other things. Sometimes I love to share my latest finds which is what I want to talk about today.

Not sure if the image pops up but my new favorite is Bruno Mars, Doo-Wops and Hooligans. It's fun, the kid can sing, he doesn't curse so I can blast it in the car with the kiddies and it's hip and refreshing but the music doesn't make me feel old! The hubby and I have been joking with each other about taking the cd out of each others car. I told him he's got to get his own copy! Me and the girls need our Bruno Mars. You should hear Aneley singing track #7 "Talking to the Moon." Adorable! My favorite right now is track #8 "liquor Store Blues." It's a little reggae, and a little R&B and I can't get enough of it!!! You should really hear me singin it with the windows down, even my children say "roll up the window and turn the music down!" Hilarious!! Well check it out , and stay tuned I'll be posting more soon!

Day 4 "This is not me complaining"

First Thought:

I think I'm getting into a groove. I'm also glad this week is almost over! The vegan thing requires entirely too much effort. Being vegetarian would be a great happy median between the two. I could eat my cheese, and that's really my only complaint. I could also eat fish for protein which the kids love.

So for breakfast

 we had more fruit, and more Morning Star breakfast sausage along with toast. That was quick and easy.

For lunch we had more of that great pasta and mixed greens from the night before.

Then for dinner we tried these Tasty Bite Indian meals, with Wegman's Naan bread. They are vegan, and low in sodium. The company that makes them grows all the ingredients that go into making their food.

Not only were they Vegan they were also gluten free, preservative free and Kosher.

For packaged food they were tasty! They had lots of other Indian dishes to choose from, like my favorite Paneer (Indian cheese) Masala. I told you I like cheese! Even the hubby who wasn't a big fan of Indian food liked these. I decided to try these meals because they are quick and easy to heat and serve and I needed a break from all of these specially prepared meals. It's alot of work planning and cooking meals while washing dishes and cloths, and cleaning and combing and brushing hair and teeth and shuttling this one here and this one there and chasing behind an 11 month old. This is not me complaining, I'll do that on another day, I'm just trying to paint the picture. While eating healthy is important so is your sanity. I try not to beat myself up when I take meal time short-cuts, and you shouldn't either. I think its all about using your time wisely, and if watching a little less TV can give me more time to cook for the fam, then that's a good trade off!

Day 3! Is this Week over YET?

First Thought:

Is this week over YET! That's me being honest. My problem is not the food, it's the time it takes to make each meal. Yes I'm sure other people don't spend as much time as I do preparing vegan meals, or maybe they do.

I should report that the hubby is still perfectly happy and I'm starting to worry I might have to talk him out of continuing this diet when the week is over. I've been offering the kids grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, which they turned down. They wanted PB & J instead, they always want PB&J!

I guess now is the time that I pat myself on the back for having a game plan. At moments of weakness like these all I have to do is "stick to the script."

This is what I made the girls and I for Breakfast.

Whole Grain Toast buttered with Earth Balance Spread, Morning Star meatless breakfast patties, and fruit salad. The Morning Star Breakfast Patties are a big time WINNER!!!! They have a great texture, and taste just like breakfast sausages. They are like the sun shining through the clouds!! I heart them <3!!! They made my morning!!

For lunch I had this 

a big bowl of leftovers along with the beet greens I saved. Sauteed with a little garlic and canola oil.

Beet greens have great flavor, and they come free with the beets.

Then it was onto dinner.

Dinner:

Warm Pasta Salad with Spinach, Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper, Garlic, Tomato and Tofurky Italian sausage. First I roasted red peppers and 2 whole heads of garlic in an oven bag.

Then the cherry tomatoes

While they roasted I sauteed the spinach

and mushrooms.

Then I pulsed the "Italian sausage" in the food processor, until it looked kind of like ground beef. Then I sauteed it to get some nice carmelization.

Then everything gets mixed with the pasta, I used "nugget" shaped radiatori pasta and mixed it with this...

It turned out great! LOOK!

The Tofurky "Italian sausage" was really nice mixed into this dish. It has big chunks of sundried tomato that you can see, and the texture was meaty. The mushrooms also had a nice meaty taste that was great in contrast to the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes and the roasted red peppers. Lets not for get about the roasted garlic it added a great earthiness to the pasta, and it's so easy to make.

I served the pasta warm over a bed of baby greens.

Final Thoughts:

I guess the 3rd day really is hump day, because I'm finally starting to feel good about eating vegan. Especially since I'm not so bugged up about not eating my cheese. This pasta dish totally helped boost my morale, it was soooo good! Not just vegan good but anytime good! Yeah!



Day 2! The Vegan Luster is Starting to Fade.

Tuesday

Thoughts:

I'm hungry! Not really but emotionally! I'm realizing I must be addicted to cheese, because I'm starting to feel withdrawal! Cheese is my comfort food of choice. It makes me feel happy, and in my happiness I feel "full" emotionally. I know it sounds complicated but cheese any kin dof cheese does it for me, and right now I'm depriving myself of happiness. Apparently I'm the only one starting to question this little vegan adventure. The hubby came home almost skipping. He LOVED his lunch! Ate it all and said he felt good inside knowing he was eating really healthy "good for you" food! Good for him! Yes, I'm almost rolling my eyes. Why am I not equally happy? This was all my idea! I guess I better suck it up and get focused. I'm no quitter!

So for Breakfast:

The girls and I had more Fruit Salad, Blueberry Muffins and Blueberry Soy Yogurt. Hubby had more Oatmeal and sliced bananas.

After yesterdays fiasco which I amazingly forgot to share?! I decided to cut us all a break and fall back on an old faithful. 

Lunch:

PB & J on Whole Grain Bread with Almond Milk and Fruit Salad.

So let me tell you about yesterday's lunch. What started out as a great idea ended badly!

I decide the girls would like making their own pizzas. I made them on these Flat Out Wraps which don't say they're vegan but have no animal products in them other than honey which I know some vegans don't approve of. Okay so we know I'm not a real vegan and as much as I consider myself a purist I still bought these wraps , and I'm calling them vegan, sue me. The tomato sauce and Daiya mozzarella cheese are vegan.

Everything was going great, and the girls enjoyed spreading the sauce out and sprinkling the cheese.

Then we toasted the pizzas in the toaster oven to melt the cheese and warm the wrap.

Looks great doesn't it? Well it would have been, the Flat Out Wraps are really tasty! The problem was the Daiya veggie cheese. I'm not going to be prejudice against all veggie cheese but this brand was terrible. Here I go, ready? The texture was nice until you chew a little, then it feels like your mouth is stuck together. Maybe it was just too much "cheese" but that's just me being nice. It was a really weird feeling in your mouth! Even the girls decided after a few  Needless to say I had to make something different for lunch. Which took up more time, that I don't have. 

So dinner has to be a HIT!

Dinner:

 Gardein Enchiladas Suiza garnished with Toffutti Sour Cream. On the Side Stewed Garbanzo Beans, Yellow Rice, and Steamed Broccoli.

First I pulled out a Secret Weapon (not secret anymore)!!!!

SOFRITO!!!

I keep it in my freezer, it freezes beautifully! I make it in a big batch and use it as I need it. It's made of  fresh cilantro, garlic, green peppers and onion. Some people add tomato but I do not.You can add it to just about anything, it gives this really authentic Spanish flavor to everything. Eggs, Soups, Stews, Roasts, Tacos, Rice and in this case Enchiladas.

So to make the Suizas part you half, season and roast Tomatillos along with garlic and onion.

When they are soft you blend them in a food processor along with some cilantro, and blend until smooth. While the tomatillos roast I cooked the garbanzo beans with Red Onion, Sofrito, a little cumin, and Sazon. Sazon has Mexican saffron in it and that's what gives rice and beans their lovely yellow color.

I like to cook the beans on low until they are tender and falling apart.

Then I sliced and sauteed the Gardein Chicken Scallopini with more of the Sofrito and a few spoonfuls of Suizas sauce.

Doesn't it look like real chicken!!! Then I assembled the Enchiladas.

You just make a little burrito with the "chicken" and I sprinkled a little Daiya cheddar veggie cheese, and poured some sauce on top.

Dinner is served!

And everyone loved it!

Except me :(

Again wit' tha cheese! The shredded "cheddar cheese" just turned me off. The label reads "vegan flavoring" but my buddy Jen the "food scientist" tells me the chemical name ins Diacetyl, thus the name Daiya Cheese. Well it smells almost like real cheese and the taste is a buttery cheesy taste. It's not a bad taste, but when you heat the cheese up it smelled just like vomit. The smell burned my nose it was so bad. So if you make this DON'T use Daiya cheese!

Other than that dinner was great and I especially LOVED the Tofutti non-dairy sour cream! It tastes better than sour cream, creamy, no after taste and lots of flavor.
For dessert:
 I made some labor intense vegan cut-out sugar cookies.

Lemon Sugar Cookies which I put a drop of pink food coloring into for Valentines day. Instead of butter I used Earth Balance and instead of eggs I used apple sauce. I did have to add an extra 1/2 cup of flour and freeze the dough instead of just refrigerate it.
This vegan thing sure does require a lot of time and attention! It makes sense that it would be better for you!
Final Thoughts:
Everyone especially the hubby is loving the vegan thing. That is everyone but me, I'm already counting the days. I don't want any meat but some real cheese would sure be nice. Plus I'm literally spending the entire day cooking and preparing. Well that's an exaggerations, because I am baking and doing a lot of extra things most people wouldn't do. I'm Not complaining, because I'm not starving and I am having fun playing with food.
I know I'm behind on my posting but I'll catch up, and if you haven't noticed all of my pictures were taken with my IPhone (I can't find my camera).
Day 3 coming soon!

Day One of Vegan Week!

Monday

First Thought:

Deep breath, exhale! Okay here we go! I really hope they like the food or this is going to be a loooong week!

The Plan:

Wake up early pack hubby's vegan lunch (pray he eats it...and likes it). Make my lunch as well, get cookin on dinner for tonight, and make the girls some breakfast. Here is what I made my husband for breakfast and lunch.

Breakfast: Fruit Salad, Cinnamon and Raisins Instant Oatmeal with fresh sliced bananas, and Banana Crumb Muffins.

Lunch: Fakin Bacon BLT Wraps with avocado and edamame hummus spread, and a Blueberry Soy yogurt.

 I did myself a favor and made the fruit salad and baked muffins along with the Super Bowl food I made the day before. The vegan muffins I made were soooo good if all else fails I'll just eat vegan muffins all week!! The vegan banana crumb muffins and vegan blueberry muffins were really easy to make too.

(click for the recipes and more pictures)

Back to breakfast, the girls and I had fruit salad and muffins. Then I got to work doing my prep for dinner. The hubby loves fresh beets so I plan to cook then now and keep them in the fridge to break out either today or tomorrow or  Wednesday, or lunch one day. Either way they'll get eaten.

I just cut off the greens and cover them with water, and boil them till they look like this.

Do yourself a BIG favor and don't chuck the beets tops! The leafy greens on beets are really good sauteed with a little garlic and olive oil. I almost prefer the greens to the beets!

I also made really great Vegan White Bean and Cauliflower Rosemary Soup.  (click for pictures and the recipe) My plan it to send the hubby to work with soup tomorrow and keep the rest on hand as a quick meal. I decided to go with a quick easy meal for dinner.

Dinner:

Curried Cauliflower with Sauteed Tofu peas and raisins with Cous Cous season with spirulini and green onions.

Nice way to finish the day. Everyone was happy with dinner even though the girls complained that the cauliflower was spicy (my bad). Despite that they ate the cauliflower and had second helpings of tofu and cous cous!