It's been about 3 or 4 weeks now since I started my new job and it's been going very well. Everything about it is so sweet, adorable, creative, smart and fun. Just as working with 3-6 year old children should be!
I have found that careful planning and organization are key for a relaxed and happy household with so much of my time now spent outside of the house. This makes the Virgo in me a happy camper, but the creative free thinking wanderer in me a bit overwhelmed...
A new weekly ritual has emerged that I am enjoying immensely. Now, on Sunday afternoons, you can find me in the kitchen, making several recipes to stock our refrigerator. This makes lunch (and even breakfast) preparation a breeze for the week ahead.
The photo above is from a couple of Sundays ago. The rundown... starting from the upper left and moving clockwise; quinoa salad with radishes, raisins, cashews and a simple vinaigrette... baked tofu marinated with tamari, garlic, maple syrup, olive oil (this is great to slice on a sandwich with avocado, tomato and greens)... oatmeal, maple and chocolate chip cookies from Feeding the Whole Family... broccoli and cheddar quiche - i made this toward the end of the afternoon and had lost my pie crust making energy by then, so I just made it crustless and put it in a casserole dish instead, which was just fine! I actually made two, one is in the freezer... chicken breast pounded thin and sauteed in olive oil seasoned with garlic, cracked pepper and sea salt. These are great for Adam's lunch to slice on a sandwich or on top of a salad. Emily will sometimes want chicken diced up with a side of applesauce in her lunch as well... I think these were called Apple Pie Muffins and are from Vegan with a Vengeance. I am such a fan of that book.
The contents of the photo changes from week to week. This week I cooked no meat, but I did cook 3 pounds of tofu instead of one... my grain salad for the week is a brown rice, corn and avocado salad with dill pickles (sounds crazy, but it's a macrobiotic dream!)... cookies are peanut butter chocolate chip from Vegan with a Vengeance... a pasta salad... Bread! There is always homemade bread, I'm not sure why it didn't make it into the picture above. There is always bread... I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but you get the idea.
I was at a friends house recently, she had another friend over who brought a beautiful salad and she didn't seem to mind me interrogating her for the ingredient list. It turns out to be as simple as can be and beautiful too! Basically, you tear up a bunch of kale, add walnuts and chopped apple. Then make a vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar, oilve oil cracked black pepper and celtic sea salt. I added a splash of balsamic too because I can't seem to do anything without balsamic vinegar. This salad is so great, it keeps just fine for a day or two in the fridge. Kale is no wimpy, wilty green!
Now this is my kind of fast food. Keeping baked tofu on hand is such a time saver (tonight we had it in fried rice). Simply cut some up into chunks, cut up an avocado and place both in a dish. Season the avocado with salt and pepper, and drizzle both with a little balsamic vinegar. Add a side of sliced pear and lunch is served.
I could talk and share about food for days, whole foods especially. Sometimes I feel like I do! My friend who told me about the kale salad? She and I are hosting a special evening in my home on May 9th. It is our donation to the auction at my daughter's school, I thought I'd share the details here, if any local folks are interested you can email me and I'll direct you to the online auction site and fill you in on tickets details.
Gathering of Nourishment
May 9th ~ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
At the home of Heather B.
Have you dreamed of "eating better" or preparing wholesome, economical, meals for your family that do not include the litany of unknown ingredients such as kukomungadisodiumcloggisheartispthalates?
Then join Sue and Heather for an extensive evening of delicious whole foods prepared with intention at Heather's home. We will take the mystery out of obtaining, preparing and enjoying nature's bounty.
We promise a very full experience with benefits that will ripple into your life beyond this single evening. Our guests will take home recipes, knowledge and encouragement, as well as a memory of wonderful company. One evening will add years to your life.
We are so excited to plan and host this Spring event! I will be sure to share photos and menus and such. Stay tuned!
I feel like I've talked your ear off long enough, I guess this is what happens when I can only pop in here a couple of times a week. Take care of yourselves, I'll be checking in soon!
PS ~ Could anyone enlighten me as to how to make one of those widget graphic things, similar to the Mountain Baby Blankets one up there on the left. I would like to create a couple as links to my shops (and who knows what else!). I've combed the internet but the intructions I seem to be finding are way too techy for me. I would so appreciate any layperson instructions or a direction someone could point me in! Thank you! :)
